Recently, Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State, made a trip to Kyiv where he surprised everyone with a casual appearance. Instead of his usual suit, he opted for a more relaxed button-down shirt and even carried a guitar on his shoulder.
Blinken took to the stage in a bar in the Ukrainian capital, in front of a crowd of locals, U.S. diplomats, and the press accompanying him on official trips. During his performance, Blinken played a rendition of the 1989 song “Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World” by Neil Young, a Canadian American musician. This unexpected and lighthearted moment added a touch of levity to what is usually a serious and diplomatic trip for a high-ranking U.S. official.
The scene was little on the nose but it demonstrated Blinken’s willingness to engage with the local culture and appeal to an audience beyond traditional diplomatic circles. His impromptu performance likely left a lasting impression on both the Ukrainian audience present and those following the trip from afar.
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